The good smile guide

Dentists warn that basic misunderstandings about looking after teeth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. MICHELE O'CONNOR looks at the most common myths.

Jessica Simpson Jessica Simpson

AS a nation, we’ve become obsessed with our teeth. Nine out of 10 respondents to a recent survey consider white teeth to be a sign of good health and attractiveness. Sales of floss, dental gum and whitening products have soared by 118 per cent in the last four years.

So it’s surprising to find that most people brush for only round 45 seconds instead of the recommended two minutes. One in three of us can’t find the time to visit the dentist regularly.

The British Dental Health Foundation advises that people brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste. Cut down on sugary foods and drinks and visit your dentist regularly. Here, we look at some of the most common myths and misconceptions and show you how to avoid them.

You should clean your teeth straight after meals

FALSE: “Leave teeth cleaning for at least an hour after meals,” says Dr Nigel Carter, of the British Dental Health Foundation. “The sugar in food reacts with plaque to cause acid which softens tooth enamel so brushing at this stage can do more harm than good.” It’s far better to brush before breakfast, not after, as this prevents dental erosion by coating the teeth with fluoride.

Milk teeth don’t need as much care as adult ones

FALSE: “It’s a myth that milk teeth don’t matter as much because they fall out,” says Dr Carter. “They are the foundation for second teeth, and research shows that early decay can determine the degree of decay you will get throughout your life.”

Eating cheese can protect against tooth decay

TRUE: “Cheese helps to neutralise plaque acids because it is slightly alkaline,” explains Dr Carter. “So, it’s better to finish off a meal with a small portion of cheese rather than fruit.”

All toothbrushes are the same

FALSE: “Rotating oscillating toothbrushes are proven to remove 17 per cent more plaque than manual brushes,” says Dr Carter. “However, studies show that ultrasonic brushes aren’t any more effective. It’s far better to brush up on your technique.”

Fruit juice is better for your teeth than fizzy drinks

FALSE: “Not true,” says Dr Carter. “Fruit juices can, in fact, be even more acidic, increasing the risk of tooth erosion in children.” The best drink, by far, is water. If you don’t like the taste, heavily dilute fruit juice and squash and drink with a straw to take fluid to the back of the mouth away from the teeth. Also, the colder the drink, the less damage that it does.

Whitening toothpastes don’t actually whiten teeth

TRUE: “While whitening toothpastes may help remove surface stains and restore the tooth to its natural colour, they

will not actually whiten the teeth,” says Dr Carter. “This is because only a small number actually contain any bleach and, of those that do, the levels are far too low to have any effect. Despite this, however, they shouldn’t be used more than twice a day as they can be abrasive and overuse may damage the surface enamel of teeth.”

Sucking an aspirin eases toothache

FALSE:  “This is an old wives’ tale,” warns Dr Carter. “Putting aspirin or oil of cloves on to the tooth or gum is likely to result in a mouth ulcer, merely adding to your pain.”

One in four adults suffers regularly from bad breath

TRUE: “Although it can be caused by certain foods, more likely causes are gum disease and bacteria on the back of the tongue,” explains Dr Carter. “You may benefit from having your teeth cleaned professionally by your dentist and from brushing or scraping your tongue.”

Dummies don’t harm children’s teeth as much as thumb-sucking

TRUE: “We wouldn’t actually advocate either dummies or sucking thumbs,” says Dr Carter. “But there is a fair amount of evidence to show that thumb-sucking distorts the way the jaw grows and can make crooked teeth and overcrowding worse, whereas many dummies are now anatomically shaped to combat this problem. But it’s best to wean your child off both as soon as possible.”

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